Rahul Gandhi to meet Niyamgiri tribals next month

With all 12 Gram Sabhas of tribals having rejected the proposal for bauxite mining in Odisha's Niyamgiri hills, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi planned to meet them next month to celebrate their victory.

Gandhi will attend public rallies in the two districts of Rayagada and Kalahandi which the Niyamgiri hills span, during his visit to the state between September 20 and 30, OPCC President Jaydev Jena who met the AICC leader in New Delhi today, said.

'Rahulji will visit Odisha any day between September 20 to 30 after completion of the urban poll process in the state,' Jena told PTI over phone.

Gandhi, who had addressed a meeting of tribals at Lanjigarh at the foot of Niyamgiri hills in August 2010, had claimed himself as their 'sipahi' (soldier) and assured them that he would safeguard their interests in New Delhi.

Jena said that Gandhi was interested to visit Rayagada and Kalahandi districts to meet the Dongria Kondhs, the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) opposed to bauxite mining on the Niyamgiri Hills.

Gandhi would also address a public rally in Bhubaneswar and a press meet during his visit to the state.